One worker has been killed and nearly 150 miners trapped underground after Russian strikes hit a coal facility in eastern Ukraine. The mine belongs to DETK, Ukraine’s largest energy company. The shelling killed one worker, injured three and left 146 stuck inside the dark labyrinth. Later in the day it was reported that all the miners had been rescued and brought safely to the surface.
DTEK commented: “The attack damaged the enterprise’s buildings and equipment, causing a power outage. At that time, 146 miners were underground; their ascent to the surface is ongoing.”
Although DTEK did not disclose the exact location of the affected mine, lawmaker and trade union leader Mykhailo Volynets said earlier that around 148 miners were trapped underground following a Russian strike on mines in the Dobropillia community in Donetsk Oblast.
Donetsk, which forms part of the Donbas region, is largely under Russian control, although its well-known “fortress belt” continues to hold out. The Donbas is Ukraine’s industrial heartland, rich in underground reserves of coal and metal.
Russia has demanded that Ukraine surrender its remaining territory in exchange for peace – a proposal President Zelensky has firmly rejected. Meanwhile, new details have emerged about the security guarantees the United States could offer Ukraine as part of any potential peace agreement.
Trump initially confirmed during a White House summit with European leaders that the US would play a role in Ukraine’s long-term security, though he did not provide specific details. Trump clarified that this would not involve American troops on the ground, but he indicated that other countries might contribute personnel.
According to the Financial Times, citing four officials with knowledge of the matter, the US is now willing to supply intelligence and operational support to Ukraine’s forces as part of a potential agreement.
Senior US officials have reportedly informed European leaders that Washington would provide “strategic enablers” to assist Ukrainian defenders, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, command and control, and air defence weapons.